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Re: [existlist] Re: Philosophical questions

Jim, Arguably any thinking and perspective person today would be opposed to the worst excesses of rampant capitalism. But again, how the particular individual

Message 1 of 18
, Mar 28, 2009

Jim,

"Arguably any thinking and perspective person today would be opposed to the worst excesses of rampant capitalism. But again, how the particular individual today who manifests existentialist ideals acts to oppose capitalism is not clear."

That is the $64,000 question, to be sure. 3M workers in France seem to have come to some conclusion on that question, as have workers in some Latin America counties. In fact, it seems that only in English-speaking countries is this a real dilemma. But, in my opinion, capitalist idealism is dead, anyway. What seems to be taking its place is its true face, which is anti-democratic and anti-humanistic. Social mitosis has to show itself sooner or later as a result. At that time, what we blithely reflect on as "choice" will become an urgency, an "event", as Badiou calls it. If not, then we might as well walk around bleating like the sheep we are.

Again I am in broad agreement with you, although I may disagree about what to emphasize and also how to phrase certain ideas.

I think there are two strands in your post which I want to pick out for particular agreement.

First, existentialism is vehemently anti-scientistic. Science is alright in its place, but it ought not to claim the monopoly of truth about human existence. The self, it if it is anything at all, is pure subjectivity. Objective science can say nothing about the subjective. Heidegger was one of the first philosophers to really hammer home this point.

Second, existentialism emphasizes that the self manifests its reality through action. The existential philosophers warn us against being spectators of live, and exhort us to be participators in our own lives. Living authentically involves taking a stand, walking in the opposite direction to the herd, being prepared to be castigated and ostracized by the mainstream and conformist majority.

Whether this critical attitude to conventional ways involves taking a distinctively political stand is an open question. Nietzsche argued that the higher type of human being would shun society and seek solitude. Heidegger and Sartre argued that the authentic individual would embrace a particular historical political movement (whether National Socialism or Soviet Communism).

Arguably any thinking and perspective person today would be opposed to the worst excesses of rampant capitalism. But again, how the particular individual today who manifests existentialist ideals acts to oppose capitalism is not clear.

Jim

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